Higher education is, or at least should be, socially influential. In its recommendation (2022), Arene states that graduates of bachelor´s degree ”are capable of exerting social influence based on ethical values.” Graduates of master´s degree, on the other hand, are ”capable of leading socially influential activities based on ethical values.”
This special issue discusses social influence and impact from different perspectives, as well as related issues. What kind of expertise do universities of applied sciences have in social influence and socially influential work?
We welcome expert articles for the theme issue from both universities of applied sciences and outside them. In addition to articles, submissions may include free-form reviews, speeches, interviews, expert texts commenting on future themes, and examples of cooperation between universities and various actors. Audiovisual content may also be submitted for the issue.
The maximum length of an expert article is 10,000 characters, a review 4,000 characters, and more informal texts 3,000 characters (including punctuation). Detailed instructions for authors can be found at https://uasjournal.fi/kirjoita-lehteen/kirjoitusohjeet/. Please read them carefully. We encourage author teams that also include representatives from working life or students. You can write in Finnish, Swedish, or English.
The texts may address the following questions, for example:
- A socially influential higher education institution – what does that entail?
- What kind of pedagogy does social impact require, enable, and make possible? Examples of pedagogical solutions
- What kinds of social innovations and knowledge solutions do higher education institutions produce for the needs of society (and what kinds of needs are they based on)?
- How can universities of applied sciences engage in and implement social impact? Good examples of RDI work, teaching, regional impact – or national or global impact
- Promoting active citizenship in higher education institutions – what is it and what can it be?
- What does social responsibility mean in the activities of universities of applied sciences?
- What is socially influential pedagogy or RDI work based on ethical values like?
- The role of higher education institutions in strengthening active citizenship or activism and supporting civil society
- The social impact of research activities in higher education institutions
Theme editors:
Kimmo Lind, D.Soc.Sc., Senior Lecturer, Humak University of Applied Sciences, kimmo.lind@humak.fi
Pia Lundbom, D.Soc.Sc., Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Eastern Finland, pia.lundbom@uef.fi
Eeva Sinisalo-Juha, D.Soc.Sc., RDI Specialist, University of Applied Sciences, eeva.sinisalo-juha@humak.fi
Schedule 2/2026:
- Article proposals should be sent to the theme editors in the form of an abstract. The abstract should be no longer than 200 words and sent as a Word file to kimmo.lind@humak.fi, pia.lundbom@uef.fi, and eeva.sinisalo-juha@humak.fi by February 2, 2026, at the latest.
- All authors who have submitted abstracts will receive a response regarding possible acceptance for the theme issue by February 19, 2026, at the latest.
- Article manuscripts and image proposals should be sent to the theme editors at kimmo.lind@humak.fi, pia.lundbom@uef.fi, and eeva.sinisalo-juha@humak.fi no later than March 16, 2026.
- Feedback on the article will be sent to the author by March 30, 2026, at the latest.
- The final article should be sent to the theme editors at kimmo.lind@humak.fi, pia.lundbom@uef.fi, and eeva.sinisalo-juha@humak.fi no later than April 20, 2026.
- The theme issue will be published in week 22 of May 2026.
Please feel free to share the call for papers within your own organization and networks.
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